🌱 Chicago's New Climate Infrastructure Fund + Hideout To Reopen Soon

Good morning, Chicago. I hope you stay safe and warm as this winter storm makes its way through the area. In today's Daily, this and more:

• ❄️ Many Chicago attractions announce closures ahead of the winter storm
• 🌎 New climate infrastructure fund aims to kick-start action among nonprofits, small businesses
• 📻 City's move to make police scanners private presents challenges for violence prevention workers

But first, this Chicago pizzeria has been named among the best in the world, according to global travel site Big 7 Travel.

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❄️ The weather:

Afternoon snow, 2-4"; colder. High: 33 Low: -6.

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📰 Top 5 stories in Chicago:

1) Chicago's Hideout to reopen in January after 'intense' internal review. The popular bar and music venue will launch a new chapter Jan. 10 after closing in the fall following complaints by a former employee. Owners Mike and Jim Hinchsliff and Tim and Katie Tuten said the process of reviewing their business practices has been intense and emotional. (Chicago Patch)

2. Chicago's new climate infrastructure fund aims to kick-start climate action among nonprofits, small businesses. The city announced on Tuesday the establishment of a $5 million Climate Infrastructure Fund that will award grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. Funding is available in three project categories: renewable and energy efficiency systems for existing buildings, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and green infrastructure. (WTTW)

3. Chicago attractions announce closures ahead of 'once in a generation' winter storm. The National Weather Service has placed the entire Chicago area under a winter storm warning, prompting city attractions, such as the Christkindlmarket, Adler Planetarium, Winterland at Gallagher Way and the Lincoln Park Zoo to close to the public the next few days. (NBC Chicago)

4. Carnegie Hero Award goes to South Sider who saved man on CTA's third rail. In June, Anthony Perry, 20, of Greater Grand Crossing, saved a man who had been knocked off a 69th Street Red Line platform during a fight and fell unconscious onto the third rail. Perry said he plans to use the $5,000 award money for auto repairs and clothes for his family. (Chicago Sun-Times)

5. City's move to make police scanners private 'makes everyone's job harder,' violence prevention groups say. Local police scanners have long been accessible to the public, but in a move to keep first responders safe, safeguard sensitive information and align with practices in other cities, Chicago quietly began plans earlier this year to revoke that access. With radio transmissions set to be fully encrypted by early 2023, violence prevention outreach workers and others who rely on scanners to do their jobs have voiced serious concerns. (Block Club Chicago)

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📌 Today in Chicago (Note: be sure to check for weather cancellations):

• 32nd Annual Winter Solstice Concert Series at Links Hall (6:00 AM)
• "Home Alone" at Whitney M. Young, Jr. Branch Library (4:00 PM)
• KOVAL Hanukkah Party at KOVAL Distillery (6:00 PM)
• Chicago Wolves vs. Grand Rapids Griffins at Allstate Arena (7:00 PM)
• 96 Cougar with Horrible at Reggies (7:00 PM)
• "Merry, Merry Chicago" at Symphony Center (7:30 PM)
• "Gremlins" at The Patio Theater (7:30 PM)
• Dave Rudolf's Completely Cracked Christmas at Hey Nonny (7:30 PM)
• Michael McDermott - Mischief & Mistletoe at City Winery (8:00 PM)
• Roya Naldi Holiday Bash at Hungry Brain (8:00 PM)
• Santa Ria: Xmas Covers Night at Cafe Mustache (8:00 PM)
• Baby, It's Christmas Outside! An Original Holiday Comedy at The Newport (8:00 PM)
• Unbridled: Snowball! at Untitled (8:30 PM)
• Whitney with Daniel Villarreal at Thalia Hall (8:30 PM)
• Mariah Carey-oke at Empty Bottle (9:00 PM)
• BVAX at Punch House (9:00 PM)
• One Big Bounce Dat A$$ Fest at The Promontory (9:30 PM)

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📱 Social chatter:

• Snow plow tracker: "The information presented on this website provides an overview of the City's snow plow activity." (Chicago Plow Tracker)
• Dansby Swanson: "'Being a Cub means more to me than people realize.' Dansby's emotional connection to the Cubs:" (Chicago Cubs via Facebook)
• Blizzard bar crawl: "Meteorologists have warned people to stay inside, but a group of West Loopers plans to bundle up and walk to a few bars in the neighborhood anyway." (Block Club Chicago)
• Winter emergencies: "Each winter, the combination of cold temperatures and strenuous snow shoveling can trigger these medical emergencies. Stay safe and explore how signs may differ in men and women: https://bit.ly/ShovelingSafety #Snow #WinterSafety" (CDPH via Instagram)
• "Ground blizzard:" "You may hear the term "ground blizzard" over the next few days. But what does that mean? Even without major snowfall (or falling snow altogether), strong winds lofting fresh snow can create treacherous travel due to near whiteout conditions, especially in open areas. This will be the case for exposed north-south roads Thursday afternoon into Saturday." (US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today.

— Nicole Cvetnic

About me: I'm a Midwesterner and very happy to call Chicagoland home. I love the outdoors—especially hiking—performing arts, photography, good food, travel and gardening. You can find me reading to my toddler, watching tv with my husband or cuddling with our rescue dog.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Chicago Daily? Contact me at chicago_il@patch.com